Oh, it's another tear jerker people. Our Sesshou gets a little emotional in this one, you'll all see why shortly.
For some stupid reason my email isn't working right now… hm… I wonder what's wrong with it. Just thought you all should know.
Yay chapter fifty! That's a biggy. I've got over seven-hundred-fifty reviews… do you know how happy that makes me? I want to hug you all! Well we're almost to the end, so let's keep it going people. Just kidding; move at your own pace.
Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha! Wahhhhhh!
Victory; Tears of a Hero
"Kagome," Inuyasha's quiet, rasping voice came as he scooted closer to the fallen miko, "I know things can never be the same between us, but know that I still love you, and that there are a lot of other people who love you too. You can't die on us."
Sucking in a deep but shaky breath, Kagome swallowed the blood she felt pooling at the back of her throat, azure eyes cracking open to stare up into the face of her mate. "I'm sorry, Sesshomaru," she sighed, fingers grazing his chin. "I couldn't let him hurt you."
Shaking his head, the inu youkai murmured back, "No… I was supposed to protect you. It's my fault entirely."
Smacking him weakly on the shoulder, Kagome chastised, "Don't beat your self up about it, Sparky. After all, it's not really goodbye. It's more of a 'see you later'."
"But I cannot live without you," he stammered, golden eyes shimmering with tears.
"Don't be so selfish," she scolded him in the most firm voice she could muster. "The western lands still need you. The children need you. This isn't just about you and I, Sesshomaru, it's so much bigger than that."
Brushing aside a strand of her hair, the heart broken inu youkai whispered, "Will you wait for me?"
Smiling, Kagome ignored the pain of her wounds and replied, "For all of eternity. We'll be together again, love, you'll see."
Nodding, Sesshomaru allowed a smile to grace his features, clawed fingertips tracing the outline of her lips as he rocked her gently.
Kagome gazed loving into the face of her mate, sad that she had not had more time with him in this life, but thrilled at the thought of spending forever with him in the next. Sure she would have to wait a few thousand years, but in the afterlife, she supposed that was little more than a day.
When pain suddenly etched its way across his features, she lifted a hand to his chest and beseeched fearfully, "What's wrong, koi?" In an instant, he was ripped from her and thrown off to the side, his body landing limply on the ground. "Sesshomaru!" she cried out in terror, body screaming in protest as she pushed herself up.
A devious chuckle alerted her to Naraku, whose spear like appendages were sliding soundlessly into his back once more. When Inuyasha attempted to lunge at him, the boy was sent sprawling from a single, well placed punch to the stomach.
"Never look away from your opponent," the dark hanyou rebuked, crimson eyes flickering in delight. Gaze shifting to the startled and bloodied miko, Naraku approached her slowly, taking his time to drink up the sight of her battered body.
The gaping hole in her stomach where his arm had protruded from was still leaking blood, and the sight made his twisted heart leap. A spur of lust rushed to his loins. "Do you have any idea how delectable you look covered in blood?"
When she gave a strangled cry and attempted to reach her lover, he pounced, pinning her to the ground. "Don't you worry, pet," he purred in her ear, loving the way she squirmed in terror beneath him. "Once I have all that I desire, I shall bring you back from the world of the dead, and take you as my mate."
Knowing this could be the only the opportunity she got, Kagome remained silent, allowing the disgusting being to cradle her to his chest as she lay limp.
"There, there, young one," he cooed, fingers pressing into the torn flesh of her stomach, "it will all go away soon enough."
As the twisted villain busied himself with playing in her blood, Kagome reached down to her boot, pulling the dagger she had hidden there from its sheath. Eyes clenching shut in determination, she lifted it above Naraku and sucked in a frantic breath. This was her only chance.
Screaming in pain as a surge of agony jolted up his spine, Naraku could do naught but wail in protest as the young miko plunged a blade into his back, his frame seemingly paralyzed as she sent a weak yet effective surge of holy energy through him.
Dropping her weapon, Kagome forced two fingers into the revolting scoundrel's flesh, yanking them out once the Shikon was in her possession. Rolling out from underneath the dark hanyou, Kagome shouted to Inuyasha, "Finish it!"
Inuyasha, from his place behind Naraku, readied his blade and lashed out, his Adamant Barrage spearing through the spider youkai's body.
Releasing an inhuman cry as he was literally torn apart, Naraku tried frantically to pull him self together again, finding it near impossible without the aid of the Shikon. All that was left of his original body was his mangled torso and head, one of his arms having been ripped off as well.
Blood red eyes shot to where Kagome lay panting, and he writhed across the ground toward her, teeth gnashing as he caught sight of the purified jewel fragment in her bloodied hands. "Give it to me!" he cried desperately, his life force slipping away by the second.
Unable to move from overexertion, Kagome lay helplessly as the mangled demon crawled toward her, eyes gleaming with fury as he neared.
Just as he reached out to seize her, a flash of bright blue lit up the sky, accompanied by a muffled cry of anguish. Shielding her eyes from the luminous light, Kagome held her breath and prepared for the worst. When nothing happened, she peered cautiously through her fingers, shocked to find no trace of Naraku remained.
"Finally," a weak voice came from her right.
Recognizing said voice, she twisted around as much as she could and stared in amazement at her mate, who stood proudly next to her, Toukijin held in clenched fists. His gaze instantly found hers, and he dropped his weapon, sinking to her side as his injuries took their toll. He was indeed powerful, but when one's major organs were shredded, there was little hope for survival.
Scooping her up into his blood smeared arms, he kissed her gently on the forehead, a small, red print staining her porcelain skin. "The nightmare is finally over," he whispered, fingers raking through her hair.
Sucking in a breath of relief, Kagome's eyes scanned the area. Her heart was put at ease as she found that every single one of Naraku's demon's had been destroyed. However, no shouts of triumph resounded through the area, for all had gathered around the tragic pair.
"Kagome," Kouga whispered sorrowfully as he watched the life slip from her body, teal eyes brimmed with tears. Next to him, Ginta and Hakkaku sobbed at the loss of their sister. She had never mated with their Lord, but she had treated them kindly, and was family all the same.
Takura's normally jubilant eyes were darkened with mourning, his head hung low as his dear friend and the young, animated priestess took their last breaths.
Retrieving the Shikon from the folds of her garment, she combined the two and watched in wonder as they melded together, becoming whole once again. It had been years since she had gazed upon the complete Shikon-no-tama, and it truly was a sight to behold. The glistening pink gem shone ethereally in her palm as she cradled it carefully, frightened that it might break again.
"I suppose it's time to make that wish," she murmured.
"Can't you wish to live?" Inuyasha asked quietly, his ears pressed against his scalp.
Smiling lopsidedly, she answered, "Firstly, the wish cannot be selfish, and secondly, I wouldn't want to live in a world without Sesshomaru."
Kissing her on the cheek, said demon Lord suggested, "You had best hurry, koi, I doubt we have much time left."
Nodding, Kagome cast a quick glance around the circle of youkai, her eyes resting on Inuyasha. Such pain was reflected in his amber orbs that it made her heart break. The hanyou had made his fair share of mistakes, it was true, but after the things he had gone through she didn't have the heart to be angry at him. He had been ridiculed his entire life, outcast because he was different and treated like he was nothing more than the dirt others trod on.
'He honestly does love me,' she thought sadly as she caught the look he was giving her. 'He deserved to be happy, after all, he is a good person.'
Nodding to herself in reassurance, she announced, "I've made my decision."
The air was silent as she lifted the spherical pink orb to her heart, eyes closing as she whispered, "Shikon-no-tama, grant me my heart's desire. I wish that Inuyasha would find true happiness."
Eyes widening as she uttered those final words, Inuyasha's knees gave out, sending him toppling to the dirt. Honeyed depths resting on her, he whispered, "Why did you waste it on me?"
"I didn't waste it, Inuyasha," she informed him, "you are very dear to me, and you deserve a second chance."
Tears streaming down his face, the inu hanyou whispered through broken sobs, "Thank you, Kagome. I love you."
The sky was alit with pink and white as the Shikon shattered, its pieces disintegrating and fluttering away on the wind.
"Koi," Sesshomaru cooed softly, "time to say goodbye."
Nodding, the young priestess smiled brightly at all those present, lips trembling as she uttered, "Thank you all for your aid in defeating Naraku. Without your help, we might have never succeeded. Rejoice heroes of the future, for the deeds you have done today will go down in history. All of you are so very dear to me, and I give you my blessings."
"Many have fallen," Sesshomaru continued, taking his mate's hand in his own, "but none fell in vein. You have done well."
"Inuyasha," Kagome pleaded, her heart clenching painfully in her chest. When the inu hanyou knelt at her side, she inquired, "Will you promise me something?"
"Anything," he assured her, taking her tiny, cold hand in his.
"Take care of Shippou, Rin, and Yumi for me. They need you."
Smiling softly, he nodded, kissing her gently on the cheek before murmuring, "I'll do my best."
Nodding, Kagome leaned back into Sesshomaru, hands fisting into his haori.
"Half breed," Sesshomaru beckoned. When his younger sibling gave him a curious look, he informed him, "As the only remaining son of Inu no Taisho, you are now the heir of the western lands."
"Thank you," Inuyasha spoke firmly, "I won't let you down."
"See that you don't," the silver haired demon remarked flatly, a flicker of mischief in his eyes.
When the brazen young pup smiled widely at him, he felt as though a great weight had been lifted from his chest. He had despised the whelp for as long as he could remember because of the fact that he was a hanyou. Now, as he looked up into that smiling, childish face, he recalled a time when Inuyasha would bestow many a carefree grin upon him, back when they were children, and blood did not matter. Hanyou he may have been, but he was family.
Leaning backward, until he was stretched out across the blood dampened grass, the stoic taiyoukai wrapped his arms around his mate, his lips parting as he whispered to her, "I love you, Kagome."
Inhaling deeply, she sighed back, "I love you, Sesshomaru."
The air remained still as the couple embraced, smiles painting their features. The luminous clouds that hovered overhead dispersed, and sunlight bathed the pair in its welcoming glow. Then, in a few subtle moments, both of their auras flickered out of existence.
A single tear trekked down his cheek as Inuyasha looked to the sky, chuckling when a pair of larks swerved overhead. Smiling, he whispered to the heavens, "Goodbye."
Fin
… gotcha! Bwahahahaha… I'm not so cruel. Don't worry there are more chapters to come. You'll soon find that things are not always what they seem.
I'll have the next entry in tomorrow, as always!
I can't believe it's almost 2007. Isn't that insane??!!
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